SoCal Spring Tip-Off: Standout Freshmen (Part I)

The Hoop Review SoCal Spring Tip-Off featured nearly 120 programs from all across the Western United States.

Many of the most well-known programs from Southern and Northern California, along with Nevada and Arizona, made their way to Next Level Sports Complex in Garden Grove for the two-day event which kicked off what will surely be a wild club basketball season.

Below is the first set of freshman prospects who played well throughout the weekend.

Devin Askew, Las Vegas Prospects 16

Askew is a dynamic scorer and playmaking guard who played spot minutes for SoCal powerhouse Santa Ana Mater Dei this past season. The 6-foot-4 guard did a Nic job of getting downhill in transition and overpowering smaller guards to get to the basket where he finished with consistency. Askew displayed more control in his game and forced the issue a lot less than he has in the past.

Devin Askew attacked the basket at-will at the SoCal Spring Tip Off over the weekend.

Truman Gettings, Team Why Not 16U

Gettings, who was a major contributor for Harvard-Westlake as a rookie, is one of the more physical young bigs in the area. At 6-feet-7 and a well-built, and mobile,195-plus pounds, he rebounds well in and out of his space, can switch out and contain guards on high ball-screen action and runs the middle of the floor with purpose.

Keith Higgins, Jr., BTI Prospects 17

Higgins played big varsity minutes for Chaminade and that experience carried over well into the spring. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard has a consistent catch-and-shoot 3-point shot and an effective shot fake and two-dribble mid-range pull-up.

Jahmai Mashack, Prodigy

Mashack logged primetime playoff minutes for Etiwanda after dominating on the Eagles lower levels prior to the postseason. The 6-foot-2 wing is a menace of an on-ball defender, an explosive athlete in the open court and can stretch the floor to the 3-point line. Mashack is one of the top “upside” freshmen in all of SoCal.

Chris Nickelberry, Prodigy Elite 15U

Nickelberry is a smooth and high IQ point guard who has high-level command of the position. The 5-foot-10 prospect understands pace, how to change speeds and direction, and did a nice job of managing scoring, distributing and on-court leadership in a setting that doesn’t always promote team basketball. Nickelberry could have an increased role at Damien during his sophomore season.

Brendan Perry, West Coast Elite SD 15 Silver (La Costa Canyon)

Perry is one of those potential “jack-of-all-trades” type of prospects. The 6-foot-1 guard can knock down the open perimeter jumper, attack open lanes and finish or find an open teammate with a drive-and-kick. What he does best comes by way of his basketball IQ and decision-making with the ball in his hands.

Selah Robins, West Coast Elite 15 UAA

Robins was one of the highest motor freshmen on the weekend. The 6-foot freshman guard out of Mission Viejo High is relentless in transition, attacking gaps and taking open lanes resulting in easy buckets on the break. Robins uses that energy on the defensive end, as well, and is an engaged and active on-ball and team defensive player who rebounds well for his size.